26 Maret 2008

Menumbuhkan Minat Baca Melalui Metode Active Learning

Oleh : SUPRAPTO, S.St
Guru SMK Negeri 1 Samarinda

Membaca, sekilas terlihat hanya sebagai satu kata yang simple and easy to be done, akan tetapi apabila kita menilik pada realitas di masyarakat, satu kata ini justru menjadi momok bahkan sebagian kalangan sangat tidak familiar atau mungkin alergi dengan satu kata kerja ini. Yang lebih ironis lagi, hal ini telah melanda sebagian besar masyarakat di negeri ini. Ini bagaikan suatu penyakit kronis yang telah merasuki bahkan menghinggapi hampir sebagian besar penduduk di negeri ini, tidak saja melanda kaum tua, kaum muda bahkan anak-anak sekalipun.
Membaca merupakan sesuatu problem yang sangat krusial bagi bangsa ini, baik bagi generasi yang terdahulu, generasi sekarang maupun generasi yang akan datang. Apabila kita cermati maka fenomena ini dapat terjadi oleh beberapa faktor diantaranya adalah :
Yang pertama, sebagian besar masyarakat kita bukan berasal dari well-educated group yang mengenyam jenjang pendidikan yang memadai, sehingga tidak mengenal habit untuk membaca.
Yang kedua adalah tingkat pendapatan masyarakat kita masih rendah sehingga tidak memiliki cukup budget untuk membeli bahan bacaan seperti buku, majalah, surat kabar dan lainnya .
Yang ketiga : Adanya persepsi yang salah kaprah yang menyatakan bahwa membaca itu tidak penting dan tidak dapat menghasilkan uang.
Yang keempat : Membaca belum menjadi bagian dari hidup seseorang atau sekelompok orang bahkan yang ada dalam benaknya adalah yang penting hidup dan makan.
Yang kelima : Meskipun secara ekonomi termasuk kelompok mapan tetapi tidak pernah berpikir bahwa membaca itu penting sehingga berdampak pada keengganaan untuk menyisihkan sebagian wages untuk membeli media baca seperti buku, majalah dan sejenisnya.
Yang keenam : Adanya pola konsumtif yang berlebihan yang mengakibatkan timbulnya pola pikir yang sempit dan mengukur segala sesuatunya dari sisi materi belaka.
Yang ketujuh : adanya paradigm lama yang beranggapan bahwa yang hobi membaca itu cukup yang berkecimpung dalam dunia pendidikan dan sejenisnya.
Kesemuanya itu mau atau tidak mau memang telah menjadi bagian dari sebagian bangsa ini, oleh karenanya tidaklah mengherankan kalau kita baca dan cermati berbagai riset yang dilakukan baik oleh lembaga survei nasional maupun internasional, negeri ini terseok-seok dalam peringkat buncit dalam hal membaca.
Harus disadari oleh seluruh bangsa ini bahwa salah satu indikasi kemajuan suatu bangsa dan negara itu terlihat dari minat baca masyarakatnya. Suatu bangsa yang memiliki minat baca yang tinggi tentu akan berimplikasi pada aspek-aspek pendukung kemajuan dan kebesaran bangsa itu sendiri seperti aspek teknologi, ekonomi, budaya, sosial, politik dan lainnya. Bisa digambarkan bahwa bangsa-bangsa maju dan modern yang berhasil menemukan teknologi yang canggih, semua itu berawal dari strongly habit membaca yang pada gilirannya akan melahirkan para ilmuwan dalam berbagai bidang.
Bangsa yang besar ini tidak boleh selamanya tergantung pada ketersediaan resources yang melimpah sebagaimana kita miliki sekarang ini, yang menjadikan kita terlena dan bangga untuk sesaat belaka. Kita harus dapat memetik pelajaran dari jiran lain, seperti Singapura : sebuah negara kecil yang tidak memiliki resources yang cukup signifikan dibandingkan dengan Negara kita. Tetapi apa faktanya : dengan kekayaan resources yang melimpah, yang dimiliki bangsa ini justru tidak menjadikan bangsa ini menjadi bangsa yang besar dan makmur sebagaimana dicita-citakan oleh para pendahulu kita. Bahkan negara yang kecil seperti singapura justru menjelma sebuah kekuatan ekonomi yang maju tidak saja di asia tenggara bahkan di dunia. Negara jiran kita tersebut bahkan menjadi salah satu pusat bisnis yang tersibuk dan terbesar di dunia.
Apa yang sejatinya dilakukan oleh jiran kita tersebut tidak lain adalah adanya highly awareness bahwa mereka tidak memiliki cukup resources sehingga mereka mengembangkan human resources. Melalui sumber daya manusia yang berkualitas dan unggul, apapun dapat dibuat dan dilakukan termasuk membangun kekuatan ekonomi yang mapan dan mandiri sebagaimana telah diperlihatkan oleh Singapura dan jiran-jiran kita lainnya di asia tenggara. Sumber daya manusia yang berkualitas dan unggul ini , sangatlah dekat dengan namanya bahan bacaan baik cetak ataupun elektrik sehingga membaca sudah menjadi bagian dari hidup dan menjadi suatu habit.
Menyadari kodisi yang demikian itu maka kita harus melakukan introspeksi diri dan segera berbenah diri tentang apa yang telah kita capai saat ini, khususnya berkaitan dengan minat baca. Menyikapi hal ini tentu kita tidak bisa berharap terlalu banyak dan akan mampu melakukan perubahan yang drastis dan dapat memperoleh hasil yang signifikan dalam waktu singkat. Kesemuanya itu harus dibangun, diawali dan dibiasakan sehingga perlahan tapi pasti kita akan memetik hasilnya di kemudian hari.
Untuk mengawalinya sejatinya tidaklah terlalu berat, asalkan kita memiliki keinginan dan kemauan yang kuat untuk melakukannya diantaranya melalui penanaman sejak dini pada generasi muda pada seluruh tingkatan pendidikan baik SD, SLTP, SLTA bahkan perguruan tinggi.
Akan tetapi sebelum kita menanamkan minat baca ini terhadap siwa ataupun mahasiswa kita, tentu yang tidak kalah pentingnya adalah harus kita tanamkan minat baca ini pada para pelaku pendidikan khususnya guru dan dosen. Ada kekuatiran bahwa dua pilar dalam pendidikan kita ini justru jauh dari dunia baca sehingga juga berimplikasi pada siswa dan mahasisiwa yang dididiknya. Jikalau demikian faktanya, mau tidak mau, suka atau tidak suka harus kita tanamkan bahkan harus dibiasakan untuk membaca sehingga semuanya dapat berjalan sesuai dengan apa yang kita rencanakan bahkan muncul keteladanan.
Setelah dua pilar pendidikan kita tersebut cukup familiar dengan dunia baca, maka dapat dilaksanakan penanaman minat baca tersebut pada siswa di semua jenjang pendidikan.
Hal pertama yang perlu kita lakukan adalah merevitalisasi model pengajaran yang kita anut selama ini, apakah model pengajarannya berbasis pada guru/ dosen atau berbasis pada siswa/ mahasiswa.
Yang kedua, apakah ketersediaan sumber bacaan mampu menjangkau seluruh lapisan masyarakat, khususnya lembaga pendidikan termasuk didalamnya updating sumber bacaan.
Yang ketiga, seberapa besar support dari semua pihak dalam menumbuhkan minat baca anak didik kita.
Model pengajaran yang berbasis pada guru, mendorong timbulnya pembenaran tentang apa yang disampaikan oleh guru bersangkutan dan menjadikannya the only learning sources. Ini tentu akan berimplikasi buruk pada siswa, diantaranya adanya ketergantungan yang sangat tinggi pada sosok seorang guru dan memungkinkan siswa tidak dapat belajar tanpa kehadiran seorang guru sehingga tidak pernah bisa belajar secara mandiri.
Adapun model pembelajaran yang berbasis pada siswa, merupakan model pembelajaran yang sejati sebagaimana dituangkan dalam tujuan pembelajaran yaitu siswa dapat menguasai pengetahuan atau kompetensi tertentu. Model ini berbasis pada active learning yang sangat memungkinkan siswa untuk mencari, menggali dan memperoleh sumber informasi yang sangat beragam dari berbagai sources. Dengan sendirinya, akan dapat menumbuhkan kreatifitas siswa dan lambat laun paradigma lama tentang model pembelajaran berbasis guru, yang telah terpatri dalam diri para pendidik hingga saat ini akan terdegradasi bahkan akan luntur.
Dengan active learning, terdapat beberapa advantages baik dari angel guru ataupun siswa. Guru tidak lagi menjadi satu-satunya sumber belajar, tetapi menjadi fasilitator yang tetap memegang kendali kelas dengan tanpa meminimalisir roles seorang guru. Dan dengan model ini, bukan berarti guru harus tidur pulas dan mempersilahkan siswa untuk belajar terus menerus sampai bored. Akan tetapi dengan sedikit mengurangi dominasi guru dalam kegiatan belajar mengajar, dan memberikan keleluasaan siswa untuk mendapat apa yang semestinya menjadi haknya yakni informasi maka akan memunculkan kemandirian siswa, khususnya dalam hal pencarian sumber belajar. Dengan pola ini, siswa mendapatkan porsi yang lebih untuk mendapatkan berbagai informasi dan dapat belajar secara mandiri dan tetap dalam bimbingan guru ( disesuaikan dengan kondisinya ). Apabila hal yang demikian dapat dilaksanakan secara kontinyu dan terprogram maka akan menjadikan suatu habit yang positif yang pada akhirnya akan menumbuhkan minat baca siswa. Dengan siswa yang telah memiliki habit yang tinggi dalam hal membaca, akan menghasilkan suatu sinergi yang positif dalam dunia pendidikan kita sekaligus sebagai embrio untuk menelorkan generasi-generasi muda yang kreatif, cerdas dan unggul.
Model active learning ini tentu perlu di support sehingga benar-benar dapat diaplikasikan dengan baik dan kontinyu sehingga dapat mencapai target yang jelas dan terukur. Diantaranya dengan ketersediaan sumber bacaan yang memadai baik dari sisi kualitas, kuantitas maupun updating-nya. Tidak dapat dibayangkan, jikalau kita memiliki sumber bacaan yang memadai baik kualitas dan kuantitas tetapi sudah out of date, tentu akan ketinggalan dengan perkembangan jaman yang demikian pesatnya. Hal lain yang tidak kalah pentingnya adalah terkait dengan distribusi sumber bacaan, jangan sampai sumber bacaan yang demikian luar biasa tersebut hanya dinikmati oleh sebagian kecil kalangan saja sehingga lepas dari target yang ada. Sementara pihak-pihak lain yang begitu memerlukannya justru tidak dapat menikmati dan memanfaatkannya. Selain itu, sumber belajar tersebut juga perlu diperhatikan maintenance-nya sehingga dapat tahan lama dan dapat dimanfaatkan oleh beberapa generasi kedepan.
Pengkondisian terhadap habit membaca dan dukungan sumber bacaan yang memadai sebagaimana dijelaskan diatas, perlu mendapatkan response dan support dari pihak terkait, khususnya keluarga, sekolah/ lembaga pendidikan lainnya, lingkungan. Faktor ini sangat penting dan cukup dominan dalam mendukung dan menumbuh kembangkan minat baca siswa. Bagaimana tidak suatu keluarga yang familiar dengan membaca, tentu akan men-stimulate anak untuk mengikuti dan meneladaninya sehingga membaca sudah menjadi kebutuhan bahkan sebagai bagian dari hidupnya. Sebaliknya lingkungan keluarga yang jauh dari habit membaca, tentunya akan memberikan efek negatif pada anak dalam hal membaca, yakni keengganan bahkan alergi dengan hal ini. Lingkungan sekolah yang dijadikan oleh sebagian siswa sebagai rumah atau lingkungan kedua setelah lingkungan keluarga, merupakan tempat yang dianggap cocok untuk mengapresiasikan dan mengaktualisasikan diri mereka. Demikian halnya dengan lingkungan masyarakat, juga akan memberikan efek yang tidak kecil dalam mendukung penumbuhan minat baca ini, baik yang terkait dengan ilmu agama, ilmu umum dan kemasyarakatan. Sebagaimana dapat kita jumpai bahwasanya anak-anak selepas menuntut ilmu di sekolah juga aktif belajar di lingkungan masyarakatnya baik di mushala/ masjid atau tempat lainnya.
Kesemuanya itu harus senantiasa bersinergi dalam menumbuh kembangkan minat baca anak-anak kita baik untuk jenjang pendidikan dasar ( TK dan SD ), pendidikan menengah ( SLTP dan SLTA ) juga pendidikan tinggi ( perguruan tinggi ). Hal ini tidak semata dibebankan pada sekolah atau lembaga pendidikan lainnya tetapi juga perlu support dari pihak lainnya seperti keluarga, masyarakat dan pemerintah sebagai pemegang dan pengambil policy.



SEMOGA KITA SEMUA TERGUGAH AKAN PENTINGNYA MENUMBUH KEMBANGKAN MINAT BACA TERHADAP ANAK-ANAK NEGERI INI.

08 Februari 2008

Komersialisasi Pendidikan

KOMERSIALISASI PENDIDIKAN : sebuah warisan

Demikian besarnya perhatian pemerintah terhadap sektor pendidikan, merupakan angin segar bagi para stakeholder pendidikan untuk merevitalisasi dunia pendidikan di negeri ini. Atensi yang besar tersebut dapat terlihat dengan lahirnya berbagai kebijakan baik dalam bentuk Undang-Undang maupun Peraturan Pemerintah, diantaranya : UU RI No. 20 tahun 2003 tentang Sistem Pendidikan Nasional, UU RI No. 14 Tahun 2005 tentang Guru dan Dosen, PP No. 19 Tahun 2005 tentang Standar Nasional Pendidikan, dan Peraturan Mendiknas No. 18 Tahun 2005 tentang Sertifikasi bagi Guru Dalam Jabatan.

Niatan baik pemerintah pusat ini, bak gayung bersambut dengan ekspektasi dan preferensi pemerintah daerah, diantaranya dengan dicanangkannya program wajib belajar ( WAJAR ) yang tidak terbatas pada pendidikan SLTP saja melainkan sampai SLTA atau wajib belajar 12 tahun. Dengan program WAJAR 12 tahun ini, memungkinkan masyarakat untuk mendapatkan free education hingga jenjang SLTA. Tidak cukup itu saja, pemerintah juga menyediakan bantuan-bantuan lainnya untuk menigkatkan sektor pendidikan baik dalam bentuk BOS (bantuan operasional sekolah), BKM ( bantuan khusus murid), BOM (bantuan operasional manajemen) dan lain sebagainya. Yang tidak kalah pentingnya adalah revitalisasi terhadap fasilitas pendidikan seperti pembangunan gedung sekolah, ruang kelas, dan sarana prasarana pendidikan lainnya.

Perhatian pemerintah daerah ini tidak terbatas bagi siswa ataupun bangunan fisik sekolah, melainkan juga dalam peningkatan kualifikasi guru sebagaimana dipersyaratkan dalam UU RI No. 14 Tahun 2005 tentang Guru dan Dosen, yang mempersyaratkan semua guru harus memiliki kualifikasi S1. Dengan kualifikasi minimal S1, para pendidik sebagai frontliner dalam meningkatkan sumber daya manusia, dapat melahirkan generasi-generasi penerus bangsa yang berkualitas dan berdaya saing.

Pemerintah propinsi Kalimantan Timur, melalui Dinas Pendidikan Propinsi Kaltim juga tengah berupaya keras untuk menyiapkan sumber daya manusia yang berkualitas khususnya terkait dengan sektor pendidikan yaitu dengan menggandeng Universitas Mulawarman dalam penyelenggaraan kualifikasi pendidikan S1 bagi para tenaga pendidik di propinsi Kalimantan Timur. Di tahun 2008 ini, telah dimulai program kualifikasi S1 di FKIP Universitas Mulawarman dengan jumlah sekitar 1.500 orang tenaga pendidik dari berbagai jenjang pendidikan mulai TK hingga SLTA.

Program peningkatan kualifikasi tersebut, sejatinya sangat bagus dan dinanti-natikan oleh para tenaga pendidik yang nota bene belum memenuhi kualifikasi pendidikan S1. Akan tetapi program yang sedemikian hebatnya tersebut terkesan setengah-setengah bahkan bisa dikatakan hanya sebagai pelipur lara bagi para pendidik. Betapa tidak, anggaran yang sedemikian besar untuk sektor pendidikan yang konon mencapai 20%, tidak dapat memberikan garansi bagi para tenaga pendidik untuk dapat mengenyam pendidikan S1 secara free dalam artian luas. Tenaga pendidik yang tadinya berharap-harap cemas dapat meningkatkan kualifikasi pendidikannya dengan tenang karena biaya kuliah sudah ditanggung pemerintah, ternyata masih harus terbebani dengan biaya yang bermacam-macam dan kalau dikalkulasi justru melebihi biaya kuliah itu sendiri. Hal ini tentu perlu mendapat perhatian yang serius dari Pemerintah Daerah, khususnya Dinas Pendidikan Propinsi Kalimantan Timur, mengingat para tenaga pendidik kita saat ini belum tersertifikasi alias masih dalam kondisi financial yang pas-pasan bahkan dimungkinkan ada yang kurang.

Kalau memang pihak terkait mengalami limitation of buget, seyogyanya perlu dikaji lagi implementasi program peningkatan kualifikasi bagi para tenaga pendidik bahkan kalau perlu direformulasi sehingga para tenaga pendidik dapat melaksanakan program ini dengan baik dan output-nya pun dapat dipertanggung jawabkan. Misalnya dengan melakukan pembatasan dari segi jumlah dengan betul-betul melalui proses seleksi yang ketat ( usia, masa kerja, dan sebagainya yang melekat dengan seorang tenaga pendidik ).

Hal ini perlu dipertimbangkan sehingga dapat dihindarkan terjadinya leakage terhadap pemanfaatan budget yang ada agar dapat mencapai target yang ditetapkan yaitu peningkatan kualifikasi tenaga pendidik baik secara teknis maupun akademis.

Pembangunan sumber daya manusia yang baik tentu dihasilkan dari proses yang baik pula sehingga kelak dapat menghasilkan generasi-generasi penerus bangsa yang benar-benar mempunyai added value yang tinggi, berwawasan ke depan dan bermoral. Akan tetapi proses pembangunan sumber daya manusia yang kurang baik, pada akhirnya hanya akan melahirkan generasi penerus yang bermental krupuk yang tidak memiliki kapasitas dan kapabilitas untuk berkompetisi di era global dewasa ini.

Fenomena ini dapat kita cermati dari sistem pendidikan yang ada di sebahagian negeri ini. Coba kita tengok anak-anak kita yang tengah duduk di bangku sekolah dasar, mulai dari kelas 1 hingga kelas 6, semuanya dicekokin dengan apa yang namanya BIMBEL atau dengan terminologi lain LES. Untuk anak kelas 5 atau 6 SD dan kelas 3 SLTP atau SLTA, mungkin masih rasional bagi masyarakat awam mengingat ada target antara yaitu Ujian Nasional. Akan tetapi bagi anak kelas 1 sampai kelas 4 SD, kelas 1 SLTP dan SLTA juga dihimbau untuk BIMBEL. Yang lebih mencengangkan adalah BIMBEL ini sudah seperti kacang goreng yang dapat dijumpai bahkan sangat familiar di sekolah-sekolah baik negeri ataupun swasta. Ada apa dengan dunia pendidikan di negeri tercinta ini. Dan apa pula yang sebenarnya dilakukan oleh sebagian tenaga pendidik di kelas ? Tentu merupakan sebuah big question mark.

Tidak cukupkah alokasi waktu yang ada untuk membahas suatu mata pelajaran dalam satu semester. Mengingat anak belajar tiap hari dengan durasi waktu rata-rata 3 - 3.5 jam per hari untuk tingkat SD dan 5-6 jam per hari untuk tingkat SLTP dan SLTA. Padahal para tim penggagas dan penyusun kurikulum untuk semua level pendidikan dari SD hingga SLTA, telah mengkaji sedemikian dalam bahkan juga melibatkan unsur praktisi sehingga semuanya telah dikalkulasi dengan cermat, termasuk didalamnya mengenai alokasi waktu yang diperlukan pada setiap mata pelajaran ataupun kompetensinya. Jadi masih perlukah semua siswa diberikan BIMBEL ?

Lebih ironis lagi, anak yang telah dibekali buku diktat dengan harga yang cukup mahal bahkan dari penerbit kenamaan, masih dibuatkan ringkasan oleh segelintir tenaga pendidik. Hal lain yang perlu juga dicermati adalah masih besarnya ketergantungan sebagian tenaga pendidik pada lembar kerja siswa (LKS) yang nota bene masih perlu dipertanyakan kualitasnya. Implikasi dari kesemuanya itu adalah kapan anak-anak bangsa ini berkesempatan membaca sebagai bagian yang mutlak menjadi hak dasarnya. Sadar atau tidak, jikalau kondisi yang demikian ini dibiarkan terus berlanjut maka secara perlahan tapi pasti anak-anak bangsa ke depan akan semakin jauh dari budaya baca yang semestinya sangat melekat dengan dunia pendidikan.

Sungguh ironis memang sekolah yang semestinya dijadikan sebagai wahana bagi anak untuk belajar baik knowledge, attitude dan psikomotorik, justru dijadikan sebagai ajang Komersialisasi Pendidikan. Model-model komersialisasi pendidikan ini bukan semata dilakukan oleh individu-individu tenaga pendidik bahkan sudah terorganisir dengan sangat apik oleh lembaga pendidikan terkait. Dan hal yang demikian ini tidak sekedar merambah anak-anak SLTP dan SLTA bahkan sudah sangat familiar di tingkat SD baik negeri maupun swasta. Hal lain yang sangat memprihatinkan adalah model-model komersialisasi ini berlangsung sangat lama bahkan hingga saat ini masih berlangsung tanpa satu pihak pun, mengiraukannya alias pejam mata.

Hal ini tentunya tidak dapat dialamatkan kesalahan tersebut dengan begitu saja pada sebagian tenaga pendidik ataupun lembaga yang menaunginya tetapi perlu kita kaji lebih lanjut kenapa mereka melakukan hal demikian. Apakah mungkin, sebagian tenaga pendidik kita memiliki bad particularly history berkenaan dengan pola pendidikan dan pengajaran sewaktu di bangku kuliah atau dengan kata lain mendapatkan warisan dari maha gurunya. Jangan-jangan ada korelasinya apabila kita buka lembaran lama sang tenaga pendidik sewaktu menuntut ilmu dimana mereka menjadi victim komersialisasi pendidikan. Diantaranya ada kewajiban memiliki bahan ajar ( dari satu sumber yakni kampus ), memberikan sesuatu yang berkorelasi dengan hasil belajar dan lain sebagainya. Dari bad experience ini justru memunculkan ide-ide kreatif yang sangat memalukan bahkan mencoreng dunia pendidikan seperti Bimbel, Bahan ajar/ LKS dan sejenisnya sebagaimana dijelaskan bagian diatas. Pertanyaannya sampai kapan warisan yang sangat tidak mendidik ini akan terus dipertahankan. Cukuplah tenaga pendidik yang mengalaminya dan jangan pernah berpikir untuk melakukan revenge terhadap anak didik kita.

Oleh karenanya penulis mengajak segenap insan pendidikan di negeri ini untuk melakukan evaluasi diri dan perenungan yang mendalam agar dapat merubah paradigma kita dalam melihat pendidikan secara komprehensif. Mari cerdaskan anak bangsa ini dengan cara-cara yang fair, educated dan responsible. Bukan dengan cara-cara yang justru dapat menjerumuskan anak-anak bangsa ini ke jurang kebodohan dan kemiskinan.

SEMOGA PENDIDIKAN DI NEGERI INI DAPAT SEGERA BANGKIT UNTUK MENYONGSONG HARI DEPAN YANG KOMPLEK DAN KOMPETITIF.

02 Februari 2008

Handling An Individual Tour

HANDLING AN INDIVIDUAL TOUR

In handling tourist either individual or group, generally there is no significancy differences and the difference is more related to the type of transportation used because of number of tourists. If we handle a group tour with total of tourist more than 20 person so that we use small motor coach, motor coach and so on. And if the tourist less than 10 persons, we use private car like L300, Isuzu and others.

In giving category of group actually there is no absolutely agreement but in this case we can consider to the capacity of a transportation type. As we know that in generaIlly we just see the type of transportation with capacity : 1 – 8 seats, less than 12 seats, 25 – 29 seats, 40 seats, and 54 – 60 seats.

From this classification, we can know which one included in an individual or group tour with considering kinds of transportation used. Or we can say that the number of tourist is less than 12 person categoried in individual and more than 25 persons can be categoried in group tourist.

Tourists usually do traveling to the region or country more than 1 day either which one arranged by them selves or other side like a travel agency. For the tourists who do traveling through a travel agency, they usually choose a tour package where they aren’t necessary think all facilities and services related to the tour but they just prepare them selves and pay a certain price for a tour package. They don’t need to find out flight ticket, local transportation, accommodation, tourist object, tourist attraction, restaurant, souvenir shop, tour guide and other needs related to the tour activities.

Through a tour package they really can prepared their tour or holiday well, so that they really enjoy their holiday comfortly and safely. In handling a tour especially for individual tourist can be explained the under steps :

Step 1 : Transfer service

This is really earliest step in tour activities. Why do we say like that ? As a first description in tour activities, of course started by the arrival of tourist. Do they use kind of transportation like aircraft, ship, train or bus. In relation to the condition, we can understand that airport/ harbour/station constitute the first place where the tour activities are started. Whatever kinds of transportation used by tourist, they need transfer service to reach the accommodation that they will stay.

In this step, they directly need guidance services. What is related to the welcoming service, picking up service up to dropping off service to the hotel. Included in this service that is guiding presentation on board through hotel.

When a guide prepares to welcome the tourist, he has been stand by in front of the arrival gate of tourist in the airport either for domestic or foreign tourists. He should coordinates to the porter related to the tourist baggages. A guide should also confirm all facilities and services related to the transfer service.

When any information related to the tourists arrival, a guide and crew should be ready in the right place. Then we look around the passangers that come out the airport and we identify and find our tourists. Please invite and bring them to the available place in the airport area. While bring them to the car, ask to the porter to assist tourists in handling baggages. Greet and welcome them friendly and fully smile. Then bring into the car.

Related to the loading tourists, give the priority the old person or children and assist them to come in the car. Then it followed by the other tourists and also the baggages.

In the car, a guide does his roles and functions especially to lead the tourists and bring them into the hotel. In this moment, a guide do the main duties that is to give a briefly information related to the tour programme, especially on the way to hotel.

In giving information, a guide should look at the condition of tourists, are they tired or not. Related to the content of information said likewise in order that tourists feel comfort and happy. If it’s not imposible to inform tourists in enough explanation so that’s all could continued in the other day when they join in the first tour.

When arriving at the hotel, let them to come out the car. Assist them especially old person and children.

When they have been at the hotel especially at the hotel loby, please tourists wait while enjoy the welcome drink that is prepared by the hotel. At the same time a guide come into the reception to assist the tourist checking in hotel. For the individual, usually filling of tourists data. After check in procedure finished, and all tourists have received the room keys. Say to the tourists that any briefly meeting service related to the tour programme in the following day. In this case it’s better if distributed copy of the tour programme so it doesn’t need a long time. Then inform them related to the meals arrangement during in the hotel ( restaurant location, meals time, meals coupon and others ). The last let them take a rest. Say to see you in the next morning for the tour.

Step 2 : Tour service

In the second day of tour package, a travel agency do the tour either half day tour or full day tour. It is included in this activities such as a sightseeing tour and city tour. Generally, tourists are directed to full day tour with duration for about 8 hours. The tourists usually visit some tourist objects in center of the city or region and its surrounding. Although we also know that in a sightseeing tour, we just bring tourists to go around the city and ended by visiting one place as the last destination. In the city tour with duration only 4 hours, only visit some tourist objects likewise. In giving the description about this activity especially related to the tour, of course it is very determined by the condition of the city its self.

Sometime a city has various tourist objects so that many kind of choice to determine a destination. Even to visit all tourist objects in that city, it is not enough 1 day but more than 1 day. While another city has a different condition especially related to the availability of tourist objects. Even to visit that tourist objects don’t need a full day but it only needs half day. And we have able to visit all tourist objects.

Because of that in determination of tourist objects in tour activity, we don’t fixed in enchantment to the tourist objects in center of the city but we need to consider the other tourist objects around the city on condition that can be reached. Certainly also look at the want and need of the tourist who does traveling.

In operating the tour, a guide also see and prepare all supported sector such as driver or co driver with his car, tourist objects with its local guide, art shop, souvenir shop and restaurant. It is very important thing for a guide, because he can’t accomplish the tour activities alone but it is necessary supporting from the other hand. That is the real characteristic of tourism, where any relationship between one sector and other sector. And all of them are an un separately unity.

Related to the tour its self, beside should coordinate with other hands, a guide should also

prepares anything related to the guiding commentary such as city or region map, tour itinerary or programme, media ( post card, souvenir, etc ) and others. All of this will be helpfully for a guide especially in giving variation of presentation. Beside that It can be a different thing and giving a special impression of the tourists.

In series of a tour, a guide can’t explain in whole steps of tour, especially when arriving at the tourist object where in this location, duties of guiding handled over by local guide ( expert guide ). A guide just understands information of the tourist object in general but for a local guide that tourist object has belong to him. So that he knows and understands it in detail.

In tour activities, tourists don’t only given any kind of information but they are also given opportunity to take a picture, smoking, take a rest and other needs.

For the following tour is adapted to tour programme agreed and generally there is not significant difference with the tour as explained above.

Step 3 : Tour reporting

This step constitutes a last activities for a guide, where a guide has handled the tourist to visit some tourist objects according to the tour itinerary and the duration of tour then he should reports it to his travel agency. In this report, he gives report related to operation of the tour comprehensively. It included in all facilities and services in the tour such as accommodation, transportation, restaurant, shopping center/ souvenir shop and others.

Duties of Tour Guide

SCOPE OF TOUR GUIDE DUTY

According to the term of a tour guide its self, in general we understand that he has a duty and responsibility related to the tour activities either individual or group tour. The duty of tour guide is not only limited to the tour activities ( when tourist visits a certain tourist object ) but also include all activities started of preparation, pre tour preparation, during the tour and ending the tour.

In the next segment, it will be talked about the detail duty of a tour guide as follows :

Preparation

This step is an important thing in supporting fluency of tour guide duty even in any activity. Without preparation, a job can’t be accomplished well and maximum even it is possible effect in negative result. Through well preparation, a job ( is it related to tour guide or any other job ) can be done well according to the plan. Beside that we can minimize any weakness or accident which happens in implementation.

How important the preparation for guide so the next segment will be talked in detail about what kind of preparation in handling an individual or group tourist.

The preparation that is needed by a tour guide include the steps as follow :

- Find out the name and the nationality of the tourist

The first step before handling a tourist that is knowing a tourist its self, especially about name and nationality of tourist. This is necessary by a guide because of each tourist from any country has a certain characteristic which is different between a tourist and other. The difference of tourist characteristic will effect to way of a guide in giving service and also approach is given so that tourist can feel satisfied with guide’s service.

Related to the data about tourist’ name and nationality can be checked in a tourist file either in manual or computerized.

- Ask a copy of the final tour program

If a tourist ( individual or group ) requests a tour package and then reconfirm the program so a travel agency prepare a tour program. This tour program contents all facilities and services of a tour package included in tourist activities when enjoying the tour program, from the first day until the last day. Usually in a tour program explains about accommodation ( hotel or jasmine ) where do they stay, tourist object which will be visited, restaurant where do they have lunch or dinner, souvenir shop where do they buy a gift for friends and relatives and others . Because of the tour program includes in an important document so a tour guide should has a copy of final tour program in order to can accomplish well prepared so in implementation can do his job well.

- Find out type of the tour such as the deluxe, first class or economy or budget class

Every tourist has a financial level which is different, any richest tourist and other tourist group. This condition has impact to the category of tourist its self and we know some category such as deluxe, first class, economy and budget class. The highest tourist group is deluxe which has fully fund resource. This group usually requests a tour package with best facilities and best services. For them, money is no problem on condition that facilities and services are good.

The second group is first class which has financial resource just one level under the deluxe. So this group also wants to reserve best facilities and best services.

The last group we know with term of economy class even any class under this class, that is budget class. Because of limitation of fund so this group not focus in facility and service but how do they reserve a tour program and having fun.

Related to the class of tourist, a tour guide should adapts to the tourist especially approach in giving service so they feel happy and well served.

- Reconfirm and recheck every reservation related to the tour program

In the beginning we have already reserved facilities and services from the other company such as accommodation, transportation, restaurant, and others. Our reservation usually has been confirmed but it is not a mistake if we recheck and reconfirm all reservation related to the tour program. This is more ensure to us that any thing is running well and there is no problem. So that we can give guarantee to our tourist that everything related to the tour package is well prepared and well operated.

- Collect the travel document if any, such as voucher, exchange order and others.

A travel document will be found when we have handled tourists. This document includes voucher, exchange order and other. This voucher as a proof of tourist payment for all tour package. If tourists joint in a different travel agency either in their country or in tourist destination ( abroad ) so they usually use voucher as a proof of payment. Although they pay in cash when buy a tour package in a travel agency in their country.

- Collect every information that might be need, such as :

  • What time does the shopping centre open or closed
  • Where is the money changer, the bank and what is the equivalent rate
  • Where is the nearest recommended restaurant, and others.

The above all information will be necessary for a guide especially in assisting a guide in accomplishing his job. Even a guide should know any kind of information especially to back up his job so never lack of information when handling tourists.

How important this information for a guide so we can say : there is no guide if there is no information. And this information can be got from any resources such as survey, newspaper, magazine, internet and other.

Pre tour preparation

This step constitutes a next step after preparation where a guide more focus in activities before the tour is accomplished. Of course in this step, the activity is rather different than the preparation because of this step more technical.

The activities related to pre tour preparation includes the following steps :

  • Compose the tour program Tour program or usually known as tour itinerary is a written travel schedule made by a travel agency for his tourist. The important point which usually mentioned in this tour program such as : name of program, name of tourist (individual or group), number of tourist, room required, name of hotel required, tour activities, meals service, departure and arrival time, and also additional services if any.

In this tour program is adjusted to the following thing :

  • The duration of the tour
  • The point of interest
  • Other required information. Related to the type of this tour program, there is two types : graphic tour program and tabulated tour program. If the tour program is presented in graphic, is usually mentioned point of interests that will be visited through a certain symbol according to each tourist object. And the tabulated tour program is made in table that consists of day/ date of tour, time and description. In description usually explain about tourist objects will be visited and a short explanation of each tourist object.

This following is presented an example of tour programme :

TOUR PROGRAMME

SAMARINDA CITY TOUR

Day/ Date

Time

Description

Saturday, January 26, 2008

08.00



16.00

Depart form Mesra International Hotel to Pampang Cultural Park. It is an traditional village of dayak ethnic as a native people of east borneo. The second destination is Great Garden of Mulawarman University. It constitutes a nature tourist object which offer any kinds of special animal of east borneo, forest, lake and other.

After visiting great garden of Unmul, continued to local restaurant for have lunch.

The programme will be continued to Woven Sarong of Samarinda Sebrang as the last destination. It is an home industry which produce special handycraft of Samarinda, that is woven sarong. The trip will pass through Tepian complex where a central government of east borneo province goes on.

Back to hotel and tour ends.

  • Be at the point of departure before the tour starts

This action is done by a guide because of some consideration such as : to make sure that everything is ok and there is no problem related to the tour activities, is it related to vehicle is used ( machine, air conditioning, cleanliness, and others ), all crew condition ( tour guide, assistant of guide, driver, co driver ), all member of group and also all component related to the tour. Beside that this step is really necessary especially to ensure that travel agency gives best services and facilities for his tourist. Generally a guide and crews are ready in the point of departure one hour for the group and a half an hour for the individual.

During the tour

If we talk about the duty of a tour guide, actually this step is the real duty of tour guide. In this step tour guide accomplish his function as a leader of his tourists and will accompany tourist to visit some tourist objects according to the tour program. In this step a tour guide has a great opportunity to do interaction with his tourists and off course will exchange of view, idea, information, knowledge, and experience. In interaction process between tour guide and tourist also mean that there is a communication between them. In this case, the role of tour guide is really dominant because of tour guide’s function to give information about anything especially related to the tourist objects and other supported information. In giving information and presenting his country in such a way that he will create in his tourist a favorable impression of the things they see and also eliminate any prejudiced attitudes they may hold.

In detail the functions of a tour guide during the tour are :

  • to inform or to introduce

If concern to tour guide duty, this profession is very closed with information which he has function to explain something about a region or a country and their characteristic. So this information has been part of tour guide even can expressed that the information is as soul of a tour guide. Without well information, a tour guide can’t accomplish his duty well even can be a source of tourist complaint. How is important of this information for a tour guide, because of that he should collects any necessary information that can support his duty. And the information can be collected through media ( such as internet, magazine or other literature ) and also directly come to the destination ( such as survey, interview ).

As a tour guide, he doesn’t only give information about a certain tourist destination which visited by tourists but also has function to introduce any other tourist destination that doesn’t be known yet. This is necessary done by a tour guide in order that tourists have perspective that in certain region or country, still many kinds of tourist object that offer an interesting place either nature, culture and combination of the both. Beside to add knowledge for tourist, this effort also gives choice for tourist to determine other tourist destination in the next visitation that not only focus in famous tourist objects. The other impact is more spread the tourist destination that visited by tourists which can stimulate the economy growth of local people.

  • to guide or to direct

Beside have functions as orator that give any kind of information, a tour guide also guides tourists during the tour. The definition of : to guide, it means that he has an authority to arrange the tour according to tour program which has been composed and agreed. Because of tour guide as a leader in tour activities so he should direct his tourist in accomplishing the tour program. According to the tour program, he guides the tourists to visit one tourist object and others until end of program. With direction of a tour guide also make tourist visitation more focus and adapt to the program. This can minimize any deviation especially related to unvisited tourist object which is planned.

  • to give service or to advice

As a tour guide, he has any kinds of function beside a main function to give information. One of them is to give service.

As we know that tourism is an industry which offer a intangible product so a special service constitute an important thing to develop this industry. A tour guide as a front liner who does directly interaction with tourists, has an important role in determining the successful of travel agency and tourism industry in generally. We all realize that this industry has a different characteristic than the industry and one of keys are service. How good facilities offered but doesn’t back up good service, it will be un useful thing.

In giving service to the tourists, a tour guide should be smart, smile, friendly, polite, fully attention so that tourists really served well. If the tourists feel satisfied and well served so they will be back and joint again in other chance. Even they are also very glad to inform to their family, relative, friend, and colleague about the tour package. This is the specialty of intangible products such as tourism, where service has a dominant role.

Ending the tour

Every activity will be surely ended, included in tour activity. In tour activity, tourists either individual or group tourist usually buy a tour package with duration more than one day, even it is also known as overland tour which involve some island with any kinds of transportation. This is not only done by foreign tourist but also domestic tourist. With visitation more than one day, they really have a great opportunity to explore some tourist objects which they like so that they are really satisfied.

Through a tour package, a tour program has been designed well, started from the first day up to the last day. For example : For the first day, tourist just transfer from airport to hotel. There is also after transfer to hotel and have a rest then directly do city tour or sightseeing tour. The second day up to the next several day, they usually do real tour such as sightseeing tour or city tour, countryside tour, special site tour, intercity tour and other.

Each tour activity from the first day up to the last day, a tour guide always does ending the temporary tour. Just in the last day or usually known as transfer service, a tour guide ends the tour. And the next step is usually done by a tour guide :

  • say goodbye and thank the tourists for the good cooperation they had given
  • check that nothing left on the bus
  • give a tip to the driver and thank him for his good driving
  • make report to the company concerning to the services and the expenses or financial
  • distribute the questionaire

Tour Guide

TOUR GUIDE

The terminology of a tour guide its self can be defined as : a person who is hired to conduct a traveler or tourist and point out objects of interest ( general sense of term ). The other definition, state that a tour guide is a person employed , either directly by the traveler, an official or private tourist or organization or a tours and travel agency, to inform, direct and advise the tourist before and during his journey ( the tourist point of view ).

According to the definition of a tour guide, we know that duty and responsibility of a tour guide include all activities related to the tourist activities started from tourist arrival to a country, tour activities until departure activities. In this case off course according to the tour package which is ordered and reserved by a tourist. If we talk about tourist, actually it can be divided into individual tourist ( more familiar with terminology FIT or free individual tourist ) and group tourist ( more familiar with terminology GIT or group inclusive tourist ). In giving this category, we can use an instrument type of transportation is used by tourist. For example, if we use private car, we can say that it is an individual tourist. But if we use bus with many capacities ( 28 seats, 40 or 45 seats, and 54 seats ) we can say that they are group tourists. In this case, actually many consideration, to determine a certain tourist included in individual or group. For example, according to the airliner rules : a total of passenger can be said as a group if fulfill number of passengers are 15 person or more. Even the airliner policy of group category is changed, from 15 persons to 20 person. And this policy is different between one airliner and other airliner.

Total of participants of a tour, have influence for facilities and services that is offered and given to the tourist. Beside that some step in giving service also different although in general there is not different in service. It is caused all of company which related to the tourist industry focus in client satisfaction so they never differ between individual or group tourist on condition that the tourist is satisfied.

Talk about tourists, it can be divided into domestic and foreign tourist. A domestic tourist can be defined that all persons who do traveling to tourist objects either part of them or whole tourist objects that spread out in a region, city, province or country of tourists them self. A foreign tourist can be defined that all persons who do traveling to tourist objects either part of them or whole tourist objects that spread out in a region, city, province or country out of tourists them self ( or with a simple term : tourists who visit tourist object which is in other country ). Either this domestic or foreign tourist, constitute a main aspect in developing a tourism industry with all components related such as transportation, accommodation, tourist object, tours and travel agency and others.

A tour guide as a part of a travel agency also a tourist object, have great roles in developing tourism in any scale either in regional or national. A tour guide has duty to inform about tourist objects and any point of interest in certain regions which spread out in whole country. In this case, he is also as a front liner in developing tourism who is expected to give the best services to the tourists so that they are feel satisfied and have willing to come back to this tourist object in other time. It is hoped that they can come back to the tourist destination not only come alone but also invite their friends, families or colleagues as a prove that they are really satisfied and impressed with the tourist destination that they visit. This is a real duty of a tour guide and this is not an easy duty but a heavy duty.

Realize the heavy duty of a tour guide, it is necessary work hard and never surrender effort. A tour guide should know and understand about tourist and its characteristic. In this case, one tourist and others have a different characteristic according to their country. Each tourist has a habit, culture that is different between one country and other country, and this problem has an impact to type of service. Because of that, a tour guide is necessary to learn any information about many kind of tourist characteristic so can accomplish his job well and always adapted to tourist wants and needs.

A tour guide should not been a pure servant for the tourist with fulfilling all tourist wants and needs but at least give a best service to the tourist. Of course a tour guide of certain country have a different thing that differ with another guide from other country. And this is a truly guide who have a certain characteristic that can be a value added for the tourist visit.

Tourist Perspective

TOURIST OR TRAVELER PERSPECTIVE

The terminology of tourist can be differ into visitor and tourist. In generally both of this terminology have same meaning : person who travel to another region or country with any purpose and back to his country.

To get more clear understanding about this terminology, this following is described in detail. World tourism organization defines visitor as any person traveling to a country other

than that in which he or she normally resides, for any reason other than following an occupation remunerated from within the country visited. Visitor can then be subcategorized as either tourists or excursionists. Next tourist and excursionist can be defined as follow : a tourist is any visitor staying more than 24 hours in a country and making an overnight stay for any of the following reasons : business, congress, convention, family, friends, health, holiday, leisure, meeting, mission, recreation, relatives, religion, sport, study and vacation.

In other words, virtually everybody visiting a country or an area for more than a day and making an overnight stay is a tourist. However a person who travels to another country or area for paid work would not fit into this definition of tourist. And visitors who stay for less than 24 hours are defined as excursionist or day visitor. The main different between an excursionist and a tourist is that the former does not stay overnight at the destination.

According to the definition above, we can get description about tourist or traveler its self and relation with tourism industry. Tourist is a main focus of tourism industry either directly or indirectly. Without tourist, an interesting tourist object, a beautiful scenery, a special traditional ceremony and other good package will be in pain or un useful. Because of that It is necessary a synergy among all side either supplier or consumer in developing a tourism industry so that can get benefit from this sector, tourist feels satisfied and tourism industry get profit. This is not easy job especially related to keep a tourist destination as a sustainable tourist destination. From tourist sense, a beauty, interesting, or special destination will not be visited if there is not safety and comfort. But if a tourist destination with any kind of specialty is thought as a safe and comfort place off course it will be un ended resource and will continually be visited by tourist. How important the safety and the comfort for tourists ?

Tours and Travel Agency

TOURS AND TRAVEL AGENCY

Talking about a tourism industry, this part can’t be forgotten. This component constitutes an important component in developing a tourism industry in a region or a country. Why appear the statement like that ? That’s all caused of this component which combine all components of a tourism to be an united and un separated industry. The travel agency is as an industry has roles in marketing and selling all products related to the tourism. In this case, what does it mean of product is tour packages either tour in certain region or involving several region with kind of tourism objects.

The travel agency act as a front liner in marketing and selling tour packages to tourist either domestic or foreigner. Through a tour package they combine all components of tourism such as transportation, accommodation, restaurant, tourist object and other sector related to tourism industry either as main or supported component to be a product. Then this product, we know as a tour package.

Tour package its self have each characteristic like nature, culture, man made tourist object, or combination of all kind of tourist object. Even nature tourist object or others have a different characteristic like adventure, special interest and others. In this case, kind of visits which are done by the tourists also effected by their purpose, group of age, and time or season of visits. Generally tourist or traveler who visit a certain region or country not only limited to visit one tourist object such as nature only but many tourist come to a tourist destination and visiting many kinds of tourist object. They often visit several tourist object and then do shopping to get a special gift of a region. Even this part ( get a special gift ) never be forgotten by tourist in every their journey.

In other side, the travel agency as a part of a tourism industry not only focus in one product such as tour package but also offering other product such as : ticket ( for train, bus, ship, plane ), performance, cruise ship and others. This effort is done a travel agency, off course to fulfil tourist’ wants and needs. So tourist or traveler who come to a travel agency not only get one product but also any kinds of product according to the tourist’ request.

The availability of the product variation, give a freedom to tourist or traveler as a client to choice and determine the best product which they want. For example : the availability of plane tickets with any kind of offering either in price, facilities and also services constitute an advantage for client. That is also found in other product such as tour package, tourist also has any kind of choice. Tour package is offered, usually differ in any condition, like class of service, duration of tour, kind of tourist ( individual or group ), season of tour ( low or peak season ) and other.

This condition really make client fell comfort and satisfied in fulfilling their wants and needs especially in relation to traveling. Beside that this is really as good news for a travel agency and can stimulate and motivate them to give best services to the clients. They really can have orientation to satisfaction of the clients. The travel agency which can create the condition as stated above will get any kind of advantages. The volume of product sales is more increase, the client more add and also the profit more increase. Actually this benefit is not only felt by travel agency as a supplier but can also be felt by client.